Sexual harassment at work creates anguish, doubt and fear. In most cases, keeping quiet and letting time pass increases the intensity and frequency of abuse. Similar situations require prompt intervention.
Last update: December 18, 2022
The concept of sexual harassment originated in the 70s within the feminist movement. Then as today, sexual harassment in the workplace is associated with inappropriate behavior, especially by men towards women, which constitute an exercise of power.
After a series of scandals in the United States in the XNUMXs, the issue gained fame and a place in the legal framework. Sexual harassment has gone from being inappropriate behavior to violent conduct and eventually a crime.
In spite of everything, In today's world, there is still a lot of sexual harassment in the workplace. Situations in which the abused person is in a very vulnerable position, as he fears he may lose his job if he reports the situation.
Less often than their counterparts, men can also be victims of these abuses. Likewise, some women gave false testimony ruining the accused's reputation.
“In the face of atrocities we must take sides. Silence stimulates the executioner. "
-Elie Wiesel-
How to recognize sexual harassment at work
It is not always easy to recognize sexual harassment at work, especially in environments where there are close and trusting relationships. Sometimes the line between camaraderie, joking, or flirting from bullying itself is unclear. In general, we can speak of harassment when the following premises exist:
- There is no match. One of the people involved shows sexual interest in the other; this sentiment is not reciprocated and no expressions of interest are not welcome.
- Symbolic or direct transgression. It occurs when a person is exploited through words, actions, drawings, jokes, etc. The situation thus ends up on a sexual level.
- The disinterested person's response has consequences. The stalker makes decisions based on the victim's reaction. Sometimes it can be a dismissal, but it can also be ostracism, rejection or privilege and stability.
- Intimidating behaviors occur. Not necessarily threats, but displays of strength or power, both physical and hierarchical. The victim feels threatened in one or more ways.
Main types of sexual harassment at work
Sexual harassment they can be mainly of two types: environmental or blackmail. Both are forms of undue pressure on another person to accept the sexual advances of a superior or colleague.
- Environmental harassment. It corresponds to a humiliating, hostile or threatening behavior that one subject shows towards another. They can be verbal, physical or symbolic insults, or minor or serious crimes, but they are systematic.
- Sexual blackmail. It occurs when the victim is openly asked to let himself be used sexually in exchange for something, which could be to keep his job, raise his salary, improve his working conditions, etc.
A study conducted by Inmark, Estudios y Estrategias SA in 2014, indicates that in nearly 60% of workplace sexual harassment cases, the offender is a colleague. In 14,3% the aggressor is a customer; in 2% a manager and in 1,3% a subordinate. However, 50% of serious cases are the work of a superior.
How to stop the stalker?
It is very common for victims of sexual harassment to tend to minimize gravity of what happens to them. It also follows the refusal to report the situation. They are convinced that the situation is trivial, so why make a fuss?
No matter how great the hope is that bullying will end overnight, the truth is that these situations tend to become chronic. It is best to confront the abuser directly, with a calm but firm attitude. Minutes e define what is happening and the possible consequences it is already a way to stop many harassers.
If the harassment goes from a threat or insinuation to physical gestures, the first thing to do is to report. If the company you work for has targeted interventions for these cases, even better. If not, the most appropriate thing to do is to go to a superior and let him know. Better to do this in writing, detailing how the harassment is taking place.
Per quantum possible, it is better to gather evidence and witnesses. If the company ignores the complaint, the authorities should be contacted. Legislation in most Western countries today protects victims of abuse. Silence is not an option.
